Sonoma State’s WOCC provides safe space for women of color
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STAR // Adriana Gonzalez
Students at the Women of Color Collective (WOCC) discussion at the HUB.
For almost a decade the Woman of Color Collective (WOCC) has offered a confidential space for Sonoma State’s women of color (WOC). With SSU being a Predominantly White Institution (PWI), the WOCC plays an important role in making sure WOC have a safe space on campus to be both vulnerable and authentic. Each week the collective meets on Wednesday’s at noon to have a discussion co-facilitated by WOC Counseling and Psychological Services staff, as well as staff from the HUB.
According to an excerpt about the group’s meeting on seawolfliving.com, they aim to “share and be inspired by our collective stories as WOC SSU students.” The website adds that “This group is for all Cis and Trans women, as well as non-binary SSU students who are comfortable in a space that centers on the experiences of women.” Beyond meetings amongst students, the collective does other things to help out the campuses WOC. Such events include inviting “WOC Mentor Speakers”, a couple times a semester, and even one time a trip to UC Berkeley for the “Empowering Women of Color Conference”.
Different forms of the collective have existed on SSU’s campus, but “The WOCC in its current format is entering into its ninth year,” according to an email from staff psychologist Isabel “Isa” Avila Saiter, who also helps facilitate the group alongside Senior HUB Program Director Shelly Gomez. This rendition of the WOCC has moved in a continuously positive direction. In fact, the collective has grown so large that they will be extending their sessions from 60 to 90 minutes. Avila said via email that “Over the years, WOCC has developed into a well established and attended drop-in discussion and support group with a diverse group of participants.”
Avila highlighted how adjusting to the needs of its students is an important element to the collective’s success, saying “WOCC will continue to flex to the needs of WOC SSU students who find community and support through this group.” The adaptability of the group helps provide SSU’s WOC a constant level of support on campus, but perhaps most important is the confidentiality of the group.
While being a WOC provides a commonality amongst the group members, each member has been impacted differently. Avila made this clear, emphasizing “The experiences of SSU’s WOC students is a unique one that can both embrace similarities and differences among group members. The group talks about topics and experiences specific to the intersection of being a woman and a person of color on a Predominantly White Campus.” She also explained how the cohesion and safety of the group is reliant upon confidentiality because of the personal feelings and stories being shared.
The WOCC’s energy and positive attitude is what helps make it such a safe space for SSU’s WOC. Avila reflected on her experience as a facilitator saying, “it is one of our favorite times of the week and we get a lot of positive feedback from our members about the safe container the group provides.” SSU’s WOC, Cis and Trans Women, and non-binary students who are looking for a safe space to be authentic and vulnerable, can reach out to Avila about attending future meetings via email at avilai@sonoma.edu.
